News updates: Earthquake of 3.7 magnitude strikes Kamjong, Manipur

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10:15 PM

Earthquake of 3.7 magnitude strikes Kamjong, Manipur

An earthquake of magnitude 3.7 on the Richter Scale hit Kamjong in Manipur on Saturday, the National Centre for Seismology said.According to the NCS, the epicentre of the earthquake was located at Latitude 25.00 North, Longitude 94.57 East, at a depth of 85 kilometres. "EQ of M: 3.7, On 03/08/2024 19:50:28 IST, Lat: 25.00 N, Long: 94.57 E, Depth: 85 Km, Location: Kamjong, Manipur," the NCS posted on X. No casualties have been reported yet.

8:35 PM

Indian submarine INS Shalki visits Sri Lanka

Indian submarine INS Shalki is on a two-day visit to Sri Lanka in reflection of growing maritime security cooperation between the two countries. The Shishumar class diesel-electric submarine arrived in Colombo on August 2, the Indian Navy said on Saturday. India sends submarines to a handful of countries with whom it has close defence and strategic ties.

8:29 PM

The two-day ‘Conference of Governors’ concluded today at Rashtrapati Bhavan

"The two-day ‘Conference of Governors’ concluded today at Rashtrapati Bhavan. In her closing remarks, the President emphasised on issues such as tribal welfare, women empowerment, natural farming and drug addiction among others. She appreciated the work done by the groups of Governors constituted to deliberate on different issues of national importance. She expressed confidence that suggestions given by the Governors would be taken forward. The Vice President, Prime Minister and Home Minister also addressed the concluding session," according to Rashtrapati Bhavan.

8:14 PM

IMD issues red alert for Palghar, Pune, Satara; orange alert for Mumbai, Thane, Nashik

The IMD has issued a red alert for Palghar, Pune, and Satara due to heavy rainfall. An orange alert is in effect for Mumbai, Thane, and Nashik. Residents are advised to take necessary precautions as these regions may experience severe weather conditions.

7:59 PM

Bibhav Kumar's arrest necessary, as per law in Swati Maliwal case: Delhi HC

The arrest of Arvind Kejriwal's close aide Bibhav Kumar in a case concerning alleged assault on AAP MP Swati Maliwal was 'necessary' and police strictly followed the law while doing so, the Delhi High Court has said. The court, which on Friday dismissed Kumar's petition that claimed his arrest was illegal, said in its written judgment that there was no merit in his plea.

7:29 PM

Himachal cloudbursts: Rescuers spot victim under boulder in Mandi, hunt for 45 missing continues

Rescuers are attempting to blast a boulder after they spotted a victim trapped under it in Rajban village in Himachal Pradesh's Mandi district on Saturday where five people are still missing. Meanwhile, the hunt for about 45 people who went missing after cloudbursts in three districts -- Shimla, Kullu and Mandi -- resumed this morning.

7:18 PM

Donald Trump says he will debate US Vice President Kamala Harris on Fox News on Sept 4

Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump said he will debate Democratic US Vice President Kamala Harris on Fox News on September 4, in a post on Truth Social late on Friday, though the Harris campaign did not confirm the event. "Rules will be similar to the rules of my debate with Sleepy Joe, who has been treated horribly by his party, but with a full arena audience," Trump said, referring to President Joe Biden, who has since dropped his reelection bid.

 

7:14 PM

Coal India arm NCL contributed Rs 15,000 cr to govt exchequer in FY24: CMD

Northern Coalfields Ltd (NCL) CMD B Sairam on Saturday said that the company despatched 94 per cent of its total coal to the power sector and contributed Rs 15,000 crore to the central as well as state exchequer in FY24 in the forms of royalty and GST. Sairam also reaffirmed the company's commitment towards fulfilling the energy security of the nation.

6:49 PM

Tata's Rs 27,000 cr chip plant in Assam operational by 2025: Chandrasekaran

Tata Electronics' Rs 27,000-crore chip assembly plant in Assam will create 27,000 jobs and is expected to become operational in 2025, Tata Sons Chairman N Chandrasekaran said on Saturday. Speaking on the occasion of chip plant's Bhumi Pujan ceremony, Chandrasekaran said that the company has already employed 1,000 people from Assam and as the facility expands it will bring entire semiconductor ecosystem companies.

6:24 PM

'SC's Dalit quota sub-categorisation verdict may help BJP boost outreach'

The BJP may not have taken a categorical stand at the national level on the Supreme Court's landmark decision allowing states to create sub-categorisation within the SCs and STs, but several of its leaders are of the view that the verdict can help the party boost its outreach to the more disadvantaged sections of Dalits.

6:11 PM

Global capability centre industry to boost job creation in India: Report

With India emerging as the hub of Global Capability Centres, a report on Saturday revealed that 78 per cent professionals expect the GCC sector to become a catalyst for creating jobs, particularly benefiting temporary workforce in the country. A majority of 78 per cent foresee GCCs as catalysts for creating new job opportunities, particularly benefiting gig workers and the temporary workforce in India, said a report by HR Services and Workforce Solutions provider Genius Consultants.

5:58 PM

Bank of India’s net profit up 10% in Q1

State-owned Bank of India (BoI) reported a 10 per cent year-on-year (YoY) growth in net profit for the quarter ending June 2024 (Q1FY25), aided by lower tax outgo. Its net profit for the quarter stood at Rs 1,703 crore, as against Rs 1,551 crore in the corresponding period a year ago. Net interest income (NII) was up 6 per cent YoY to Rs 6,275 crore in Q1FY25, compared to Rs 5,915 crore in Q1FY24, aided by robust growth in advances. However, its non-interest income was down 12 per cent YoY to Rs 1,302 crore.

5:34 PM

50 feared dead in cloudburst-affected areas of Himachal Pradesh: Minister Vikramaditya Singh

After the catastrophic cloudbursts hit different areas of Himachal Pradesh, including Samej, state minister Vikramaditya Singh on Saturday said that around 50 people are feared dead in the affected areas and official number can only be declared after official confirmation and completion of rescue operations. Singh also said that the topmost priority of the state government is to retrieve the bodies and restore connectivity in the affected areas of the state as soon as possible.

5:15 PM

Rainfall lashes parts of Delhi, IMD predicts more showers in evening

Rain lashed parts of Delhi on Saturday as the city's minimum temperature settled at 27 degrees Celsius, normal for the season, according to the India Meteorological Department (IMD). The weather department said in the next two hours, light to moderate rain is likely to occur in some areas of the national capital, including Civil Lines, Dilshad Garden, Seemapuri, Kashmere Gate, Rajouri Garden, Red Fort, India Gate, ITO, Delhi Cantt, Akshardham, Palam, Safdarjung, and IGI Airport.

4:36 PM

India set global example by evacuating students from war-hit Ukraine: Kovind

India set an example for the world by evacuating its students from Ukraine and it could happen after Prime Minister Narendra Modi negotiated with both Russia and Ukraine for a 24-hour ceasefire, former president Ram Nath Kovind said on Saturday. Delivering the fifth Dr Rajaram Jaipuria Memorial Lecture here, the former president said India is on the path of being a "vishwaguru" or global leader and called upon the youth to contribute to it.

 

4:21 PM

Tension mounts afresh in Bangladesh as student movement leaders refuse PM Hasina's call for dialogue

Tension gripped Bangladesh afresh on Saturday after leaders of the student movement refused Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's invitation for talks while protesters laid siege on major streets in the capital, days after more than 200 people died in anti-quota protests. Bangladesh recently witnessed violent clashes between the police and mostly student protesters demanding an end to a controversial quota system that reserved 30 per cent of government jobs for relatives of veterans who fought in Bangladesh's War of Independence in 1971.

3:54 PM

India needs comprehensive policy solution to mushrooming of coaching institutes: Congress

India needs a comprehensive policy solution to mushrooming of coaching institutes, the Congress said on Saturday and called for a revision of syllabi, more resources for all exam-takers and investments in the quality of education. Congress general secretary in-charge communications Jairam Ramesh said data provided by the Department of Higher Education to the Rajya Sabha shows that GST collections from coaching institutes have risen rapidly between 2019 and 2024, from Rs 2,241 crore to Rs 5,517 crore.

3:45 PM

NHRC notice to Delhi, Haryana, UP over deaths by drowning, electrocution

The NHRC on Saturday said it has issued notices to the Delhi government, vice chairman of the DDA and Haryana and Uttar Pradesh authorities in connection with reported incidents of drowning and electrocution in Delhi and neighbouring cities in which several lives have been lost. The reported incidents, as in the recent past, are indicative of the "negligence by the civic authorities, which is a matter of concern", it said in a statement.

3:36 PM

People get so fed with judicial process that they just want settlement: CJI

People get "so fed up" with the matters of courts that they just want a settlement, Chief Justice of India D Y Chandrachud said on Saturday while highlighting the role of Lok Adalats as alternative dispute redressal mechanisms. Lok Adalats are forums where disputes and cases pending in courts or at pre-litigation stage are settled or compromised amicably. No appeal against the mutually accepted settlement can be filed.

3:17 PM

FTA talks with Japan, Korea, Asean moving slow, India still pursuing: Piyush Goyal

The negotiations to review the free trade agreements (FTAs) implemented with Japan, Korea, and Asean are moving slow but India is pursuing those talks, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Tuesday. He said these agreements were signed and implemented during the UPA regime. These pacts are hurting the domestic industry and almost all firms stated that they are "unfair" agreements, Goyal said.

2:57 PM

Next round of India-Asean trade agreement review talks in November

The next round of talks for the ongoing review meeting of the India-Asean free trade agreement in goods will be held in November, an official statement said on Saturday. The third round of the negotiations was concluded on August 1 in Jakarta, Indonesia.

2:43 PM

NHRC notice to Delhi govt over death of inmates at shelter home

The NHRC on Saturday said it has issued notices to the Delhi government and the city's police chief over reports alleging that 12 inmates died within a month at a shelter home in Rohini. The death of inmates, in such a large number within a short period, indicates "negligence on the part of the authorities", the National Human Rights Commission said in a statement.

 

2:33 PM

Broadcast Bill threatens independence of press, curbs free speech: Congress

The Congress has said the proposed Broadcasting Bill is a “threat” to freedom of speech and independent media. Congress spokesperson Pawan Khera took to ‘X’ on Friday to assert that the proposed Bill, titled Broadcasting Services (Regulation) Bill, aims for an increased government control over content creators, ranging from social media influencers to independent news outlets and will “pave the way for excessive surveillance in the online world.”

2:13 PM

SBI's net profit almost flat at Rs 17,035 crore in Apr-Jun quarter

State Bank of India (SBI) on Saturday reported an almost flat standalone net profit at Rs 17,035 crore for the first quarter of the current financial year. The country's biggest lender had posted a net profit of Rs 16,884 crore in the April-June quarter of 2023-24.

2:06 PM

Vietnam's president is confirmed as the new Communist Party chief the country's most powerful role

Vietnamese President To Lam was confirmed Saturday as the new chief of the Communist Party after his predecessor died July 19. Lam will be the general secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the country's most powerful political role, state media said. It was unclear if Lam will stay in his role as president.

1:34 PM

Search and rescue operations in Wayanad in final stage, 206 people still missing: Kerala CM

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said on Saturday that search and rescue operations in disaster-hit Wayanad are in their final stages, but 206 people remain missing. Addressing the media here, Vijayan said there is difficulty in identifying the dead bodies and parts recovered from the Chaliyar river.

1:16 PM

Agriculture a key focus area of development strategy in India: Niti member Ramesh Chand

Agriculture has been a key focus area of development strategy in India, and the country has achieved the highest growth rate of 5 per cent in the farm sector during the seven years from 2016-17 to 2022-23, Niti Aayog member Ramesh Chand said on Saturday. Addressing the 32nd International Conference of Agricultural Economists (ICAE), Chand said that according to the World Bank data, India achieved the highest growth rate in GDP agriculture in the world in the last 10 years. "Agriculture has been a key focus area of development strategy in India, and the country has achieved historically the highest growth rate of 5 per cent during the seven-year period from 2016-17 to 2022-23," he noted.

1:03 PM

World's richest lose $134 billion in stock slump, led by Amazon's Bezos

Jeff Bezos’s net worth shrank by $15.2 billion Friday, leading a wide-ranging slump that erased $134 billion from the fortunes of the 500 richest people in the world. Shares of Amazon.com Inc. slid 8.8 per cent amid a broader selloff in the market, dropping Bezos’ net worth to $191.5 billion, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. The one-day wipeout is his third-worst, trailing only April 4, 2019, when the Amazon co-founder’s wealth tumbled $36 billion following his divorce settlement, and April 29, 2022, when Amazon shares plunged 14 per cent.

12:43 PM

Delhi University new batch of UG to commence from August 29

The Delhi University on Saturday released the much awaited academic calendar for first year undergraduate students seeking admission in the 2024-2025 session. The classes for the new batch of undergraduate students will start from August 29, according to the schedule.

12:42 PM

Wayanad landslides: Cong leader Chennithala's salary donation to CMDRF draws flak from party chief

Senior Congress leader Ramesh Chennithala has announced that he will donate one month's salary, which he draws as an MLA, to the Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund for the victims of the Wayanad landslide disaster, drawing a sharp reaction from the state party chief K Sudhakaran. On Friday evening, Chennithala, a Congress Working Committee member and former Leader of the Opposition in the Kerala Assembly, announced his decision to donate his salary through a statement released on the party's official social media handle. Expressing his displeasure over the senior party leader's decision, Sudhakaran said on Saturday that there was no need to give money to the funds managed by the CPI(M)-led Left government.